Ladies of the French Court.- [Histoire Amoureuse de France], 4 parts in 1, manuscript in French, 291 leaves, including titles and portions of blanks at ends of parts, single column throughout of 14 (-25) lines, in two hands, single-ruled border throughout, 9 engraved portraits bound-in, these sometimes a little trimmed or damp-stained, very occasional finger soiling or faint marginal browning, contemporary mottled calf, rebacked, 4to (230 x 165mm.), France, [late 17th century]. *** An interesting collection of histories relating to various mistresses, courtesans and prominent female figures of the French court in the 17th century, featuring portraits of many of the relevant characters. The second part, 'Histoire Amoureuse de France', may have been transcribed from Comte Roger de Bussy-Rabutin's well-known 'Histoire amoureuse des Gaules' (1660), and the first part similarly perhaps from a 1667 work entitled the same, 'Relation de la cour de Savoye'. Titles of the final two parts refer to, 'Madame du Comte de Guiche', 'Madame la Comtesse de Soissons et de Vardes' and Louis XIV's mistress, Louise de La Vallière. Provenance: de Beaumont family [modern bookplate]